Most popular airport pick-up locations in Italy
Most popular train station pick-up locations in Italy
Guide to Italy
Italy, or the Italian republic to give its full name, forms part of the Italian Peninsula in the southern part of Europe, extending onto Sicily and Sardinia, the two largest islands to be found in the Mediterranean Sea. Italy has borders with Slovenia, Austria, Switzerland and France and contains two completely independent states which are Vatican City and San Marino.
The climate in Italy is quite varied, depending upon which parts of Italy we consider. In the South and upon the islands it has a typical Mediterranean climate, moving further inland and further North the climate is typically humid and subtropical. Italy has been a favourite European tourist destination for several decades, although most of the tourist trade happens on the southern coast and upon the two island of Sicily and Sardinia, many of the larger cities including Milan and Turin are very popular city break destinations.
Italy is synonymous with style and fashion, and although this mainly pertains to the clothing and fashion industry, Italy has also done much for the luxury car industry. The Italian sports car brand Ferrari is a world renowned producer of high-performance sports vehicles. The company was founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, and has continued until present-day; to produce some of the world’s most valuable performance vehicles. During its long history, Ferrari has been deeply involved with Formula One racing, and the Italian Grand Prix is considered to be one of the highlights of the Formula One season.
Regions of Italy
Italy can be further subdivided into 20 separate regions; many of these are world renowned for their unique charm and character. Some of these regions make excellent choices for the visitor who wishes to see Italian culture up close, by touring in their own hire car or privately owned vehicle.
Tuscany
Tuscany is the region along the western coastline, and is renowned for its natural landscapes and its artistic influences. There are six locations within Tuscany that have been designated as UNESCO protected sites; these are the city of Florence, the city of Siena, the Cathedral of Pisa, San Gimignano and Pienza. Tuscany is typified by small towns and villages, its open countryside dotted with castles and impressive villas, and above all its wine making industry. Access to the region of Tuscany is easy, as it is served by two major international airports, Pieter international airport Galileo Galilei and Florence airport Amerigo Vespucci.
Sardinia
Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, covering an area of approximately 24,000 square miles. It is a mountainous island with several large coastal plains and exhibits a Mediterranean climate all year round. A popular destination for tourists looking for a beach holiday, Sardinia continues to be one of the best summer sun destinations in the world. Sardinia is not all about sun and sand, there are actually eight regional parks within Sardinia, all of which make a great choice of location to spend a day away from the beach.
Car hire pick-up locations in Sardinia
What not to miss
Places of interest to be found within the city of Milan include The Duomo, which houses the largest collection of marble statues in the world, the Binlioteca Ambrosiana, a library which contains many of the drawings produced by Leonardo da Vinci, and is considered to be one of the major repositories of European culture within Europe and the Teatro alla Scala, considered to be one of the most important operatic centres in the world.
If we consider Milan to be the fashion centre of Italy, then surely Turin must be the historic and cultural centre. Famous as the home of the Shroud of Turin, the cloth which is believed by many to have been used to wrap the body of Jesus Christ after the crucifixion. Motoring enthusiasts will be enthralled by a visit to either headquarters of Fiat, or Lancia, both of which have their head offices in Turin, along with some of their more classic models on display. History buffs will enjoy a visit to Palatine Towers; these are some of the best and most well preserved Roman ruins in Italy. Of course most people will wish to visit the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, which houses the aforementioned Shroud of Turin.
The Museo Egizio is also another significant historical site, and houses one of the most important collections of Egyptian antiquities found anywhere in the world. Turin is a city with a long and rich history, a fascinating place to explore, with a charm and ambience unlike any other city in the world.
Wherever in Italy you visit, get the most out of any trip when by hiring a car.
Other car hire locations in Italy
Should you hire a car in Italy?
Booking a hire car to drive around Italy is a great way of getting around, however the rumours of the Italian highway code should not be taken lightly. Driving in Italy is not for the faint hearted, particularly in the busy city centres. We recommend that you park your hire car on the outskirts and take advantage of the excellent public transport if venturing into the major cities of Milan, Rome and Naples to name a few.
However once you get out of the busy cities, the motorways are excellent and congestion free. We have a comprehensive range of rental cars in Italy to suit all occasions and budgets.